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Behavioral Antecedents Of Fuel Efficiency, James A. Cotton
Behavioral Antecedents Of Fuel Efficiency, James A. Cotton
Theses and Dissertations
The US Department of Defense is the largest institutional petroleum consumer in the world. In addition to the financial cost of petroleum-based fuels, the US DoD generates more CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases than the entirety of modern, industrialized nations like Sweden and Norway. Other dangers and externalities arise from the fuels supply chain, like toxin risks to fuel handlers, and human costs to transport fuel in-theater. Within the DoD, the USAF alone often rivals or exceeds the consumption of all other services combined. While the USAF prefers technical, hardware-based solutions to problems, and has given increasing attention to logistical …
How A Conducive Environment And Susceptible Followers Influence Toxic Leadership Behaviors In The Air Force: An Examination Of The Toxic Triangle Theory, Rachel S. Beightel
How A Conducive Environment And Susceptible Followers Influence Toxic Leadership Behaviors In The Air Force: An Examination Of The Toxic Triangle Theory, Rachel S. Beightel
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this thesis was to determine what characteristics of the Air Force’s environment and Airmen perpetuate toxic leadership behaviors. This survey study was designed, using the toxic triangle theory, to evaluate the toxic leadership behaviors, susceptible follower traits, and conducive environment characteristics participants have experienced in the Air Force. The study applied ordinary least squares path analysis to determine the influence susceptible followers and characteristics of a conducive environment have on toxic leadership behaviors in the Air Force. Results revealed that collusive followers have a direct influence on toxic leadership. While only two characteristics of a conducive environment …
Ethical Behavior And Ajzen’S Theory Of Planned Behavior Applied To The Decision To Obtain Professional Credentials, Sarajo Paluch
Ethical Behavior And Ajzen’S Theory Of Planned Behavior Applied To The Decision To Obtain Professional Credentials, Sarajo Paluch
Theses and Dissertations
Currently, the requirement to obtain and maintain professional credentials within the engineering discipline varies among the five military departments within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). However, there may be an ethical requirement to do so. The purpose of this research was to investigate ethical theory and behavior theory, and their influence on the decision to obtain and maintain professional credentials. Individual Moral Philosophy (IMP) is one approach describing ethical thought. The Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ) measures the two dimensions of IMP: idealism and relativism. The Theory of Planned Behavior (ToPB) is used in research to predict behavior intentions and …
Cyberspace And Real-World Behavioral Relationships: Towards The Application Of Internet Search Queries To Identify Individuals At-Risk For Suicide, Casey C. Miller
Cyberspace And Real-World Behavioral Relationships: Towards The Application Of Internet Search Queries To Identify Individuals At-Risk For Suicide, Casey C. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
The Internet has become an integral and pervasive aspect of society. Not surprisingly, the growth of ecommerce has led to focused research on identifying relationships between user behavior in cyberspace and the real world - retailers are tracking items customers are viewing and purchasing in order to recommend additional products and to better direct advertising. As the relationship between online search patterns and real-world behavior becomes more understood, the practice is likely to expand to other applications. Indeed, Google Flu Trends has implemented an algorithm that accurately charts the relationship between the number of people searching for flu-related topics on …
Forecasting Effects Of Influence Operations: A Generative Social Science Methodology, Christopher W. Weimer
Forecasting Effects Of Influence Operations: A Generative Social Science Methodology, Christopher W. Weimer
Theses and Dissertations
Simulation enables analysis of social systems that would be difficult or unethical to experiment upon directly. Agent-based models have been used successfully in the field of generative social science to discover parsimonious sets of factors that generate social behavior. This methodology provides an avenue to explore the spread of anti-government sentiment in populations and to compare the effects of potential Military Information Support Operations (MISO) actions. This research develops an agent-based model to investigate factors that affect the growth of rebel uprisings in a notional population. It adds to the civil violence model developed by Epstein (2006) by enabling communication …
Analysis Of Social Network Measures With Respect To Structural Properties Of Networks, Joshua D. Guzman
Analysis Of Social Network Measures With Respect To Structural Properties Of Networks, Joshua D. Guzman
Theses and Dissertations
Social Network Analysis (SNA), the study of social interactions within a group, spans many different fields of study, ranging from psychology to biology to information sciences. Over the past half century, many analysts outside of the social science field have taken SNA concepts and theories and have applied them to an array of networks in the hope of formulating mathematical descriptions of the relations within the network of interest. More than 50 measures of networks have been identified across these fields; however, little research has examined the findings of these measures for possible relationships. This thesis tests a set of …
Predictors And Predictive Effects Of Attitudinal Inconsistency Towards Organizational Change, Scott T. Drylie
Predictors And Predictive Effects Of Attitudinal Inconsistency Towards Organizational Change, Scott T. Drylie
Theses and Dissertations
Studies have largely portrayed individual resistance as a pervasive, irrational, and problematic response to organizational change initiatives. The current study confronts this interpretation with a model of attitudinal inconsistency that provides a more holistic perspective of the individual during times of change. Inconsistency reveals the degree to which the mental evaluations of a change initiative may conflict and produce weak attitudinal foundations to govern behavior. Measuring affective-cognitive consistency, the tests in this study demonstrate that employees may form inconsistent attitudes towards a change initiative. Inconsistency relates negatively to the perceived quality of management transition techniques such as participation, communication, structured …
The Relationship Between Key Supply Chain Process Implementation, Competitive Advantage, & Organizational Performance, Anthonelli White Jr.
The Relationship Between Key Supply Chain Process Implementation, Competitive Advantage, & Organizational Performance, Anthonelli White Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
In spite of an ever-accumulating body of research on the topic of supply chain management (SCM), an agreed upon definition or framework regarding its essential constructs or practices does not exist. There are, however, a few leading academic perspectives on SCM that have been bolstered by the acceptance of industry leaders. One such perspective is that presented by the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF). This study applies established survey methods to expand the body of knowledge pertaining to SCM by empirically validating the relationships conceptualized by the GSCF framework through an analysis of the perception of mid-level managers and senior-level …
A Study Of Corporate Entrepreneurship In A Department Of Defense Organization, Wade W. Brower
A Study Of Corporate Entrepreneurship In A Department Of Defense Organization, Wade W. Brower
Theses and Dissertations
What determines if an organization has a corporate entrepreneurship (CE) environment? While being entrepreneurial in a private sector job usually means a greater market share or a higher profit margin; in a public research organization, CE must be measured in other ways. This thesis evaluates a Department of Defense (DoD) organization that performs basic research. Any organization that does government or nonprofit work must continually find new ways, methods, processes, or ideas to complete the mission. In this particular study, the mission is to continue to support the warfighter with limited and changing resources—to ensure the military can maintain dominance …
New Media Analysis: The Effects Of Peer Influence And Personality Characteristics Through The Stages Of Trial, Adoption, And Continued Use Of Video Sharing Websites, Joseph L. Hicks
Theses and Dissertations
New Media technologies have evolved at a rapid pace and have changed the way people communicate in the digital world. These changes are apparent in practically every type of application, including business, leisure, and the way people socially interact. The primary goal of this research was to contribute to the current breadth of knowledge and understanding regarding how, why, and under what conditions people interact with New Media technologies. In order to achieve this objective, this research provides an understanding of how peer influence and individual personality characteristics interact across time through the stages of New Media trial, adoption, and …
Personality And Social Influence Characteristic Affects On Ease Of Use And Peer Influence Of New Media Users Over Time, David M. Ho
Theses and Dissertations
New Media technologies such as social networking sites (SNSs) have taken the world by storm. Millions of people across the world are forming large social networks through these internet-based SNSs by sharing similar interests, friends, and personal information. New Media technologies now allow people to communicate messages to a greater audience through these networks not previously seen before in other technologies. This research seeks to understand these New Media users by examining the personality and social influence characteristics through the three phases of New Media acceptance: trial, adoption, and continual use. The study administered one-hour interviews to 64 university students …
I Can, But I Won’T: An Exploratory Study On People And New Information Technologies In The Military, Michael S. Killaly
I Can, But I Won’T: An Exploratory Study On People And New Information Technologies In The Military, Michael S. Killaly
Theses and Dissertations
Cloud computing is one of the hottest topics in Information Technology accounting for growth in IT spending with global revenues surging to over $130 billion in 2013. According to the Federal CIO, the U. S. Government is considered the world’s largest purchaser of information technology with spending more than $76 billion per year. Since the commercial industry uses cloud computing to reduce costs, optimize business functions and collaborate on real-time data for decision making, should the Department of Defense implement cloud computing? Research examined the possibility that cloud computing is not seen as a viable technology and if the IT …
The Positive Impact Of Negative Feedback, Mark B. Richey
The Positive Impact Of Negative Feedback, Mark B. Richey
Theses and Dissertations
While feedback is an essential element of performance, there is little theory explaining the effects of negative feedback. Disagreement exists as to whether negative feedback is good or bad and this impacts its use. Fortunately, control theory provides scholars with an opportunity to better understand negative feedback and the conditions necessary to support its intended function. This study examined the relationship between negative feedback and task performance in a leadership development environment. This work asserts that performance is contingent on perceived feedback usefulness, such that the relationship is stronger when feedback usefulness is high and weaker when it is low. …
A Framework For The Measurement Of Simulated Behavior Performance, Christopher M. Cooper
A Framework For The Measurement Of Simulated Behavior Performance, Christopher M. Cooper
Theses and Dissertations
Recent development in video games, simulation, training, and robotics has seen a push for greater visual and behavioral realism. As the reliance on high fidelity models in the education, training, and simulation communities to provide information used for strategic and tactical decisions rises, the importance of accuracy and credibility of simulated behavior increases. Credibility is typically established through verification and validation techniques. Increased interest exists in bringing behavior realism to the same level as the visual. Thus far validation process for behavioral models is unclear. With real world behavior a major goal, this research investigates the validation problem and provides …
Personality Measures As Predictors Of Long-Term Employment In Air Force Officers, Levi N. Davis
Personality Measures As Predictors Of Long-Term Employment In Air Force Officers, Levi N. Davis
Theses and Dissertations
High degrees of organizational turnover have been associated with decreased customer satisfaction, increased customer turnover, decreased employee productivity, decreased organizational performance, and decreased profitability. As such, more than 1,500 studies have been performed in the past 50 years on the topics of retention and turnover. This study aimed to examine possible relationships between the personality make up of Air Force officers and their retention within the United States Air Force. If present, such relationships might offer avenues for improving recruitment and retention efforts within the Air Force. Between 1996 and 1997, 318 officer candidates attending the United States Air Force …
An Empirical Methodology For Engineering Human Systems Integration, Nicholas S. Hardman
An Empirical Methodology For Engineering Human Systems Integration, Nicholas S. Hardman
Theses and Dissertations
The systems engineering technical processes are not sufficiently supported by methods and tools that quantitatively integrate human considerations into early system design. Because of this, engineers must often rely on qualitative judgments or delay critical decisions until late in the system lifecycle. Studies reveal that this is likely to result in cost, schedule, and performance consequences. This dissertation presents a methodology to improve the application of systems engineering technical processes for design. This methodology is mathematically rigorous, is grounded in relevant theory, and applies extant human subjects data to critical systems development challenges. The methodology is expressed in four methods …
The Effects Of Social Network Centrality On Group Satisfaction, Peter M. Choi
The Effects Of Social Network Centrality On Group Satisfaction, Peter M. Choi
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to identify how various social network centralities affect a person’s satisfaction level. Simple degree centrality has been utilized to specify an individual’s location in a network by measuring the number of direct links with other members in the organization (Brass & Burkhardt, 1992, 1993). This study examines how location in friendship, task, and avoidance networks affect an individual’s satisfaction with the group. To determine the relationship between social network centrality and work group satisfaction, a longitudinal field study was conducted on 440 active duty enlisted military members in a leadership development training course. While …
The Effect Of Major Organizational Policy On Employee Attitudes Toward Graduate Degrees, Frank R. Hughes
The Effect Of Major Organizational Policy On Employee Attitudes Toward Graduate Degrees, Frank R. Hughes
Theses and Dissertations
Leaders initiate policies not only to improve the success of their organizations, but to influence employee performance, whereby employee attitudes toward a policy objective can influence their resulting behaviors. One group of employees, Air Force officers, experienced a policy change in 2005 that discontinued the use of academic degrees as criteria for officer promotions. With this change, there is a concern that the number of Air Force officers with graduate degrees might decrease. In particular, senior leaders in the Civil Engineer (CE) officer career field are concerned that this policy change might reduce the number of officers available to fill …
An Evaluation Of How Organizational Culture Can Perpetuate A Formal Mentoring Relationship, Daniel J. Rieker
An Evaluation Of How Organizational Culture Can Perpetuate A Formal Mentoring Relationship, Daniel J. Rieker
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to investigate how an organization's culture can have an effect on formal mentoring. Specifically, this thesis sought to determine if perceptions among gender, ethnicity, and organizational position differ for mentoring and organizational culture. Additionally, this thesis sought to determine if any correlations may exist between organizational culture and formal mentoring overall.
Formal And Informal Work Group Relationships With Performance: A Moderation Model Using Social Network Analysis, Benjamin R. Knost
Formal And Informal Work Group Relationships With Performance: A Moderation Model Using Social Network Analysis, Benjamin R. Knost
Theses and Dissertations
Social networks have recently emerged in the management discipline as a unique way of studying individuals groups in organizations. While traditionally used in the analysis of un-bounded networks, applying social network analysis techniques to bounded work groups and organizational teams has become increasingly popular. Past research has established relationships between in-degree social network centrality and individual performance as well as social network density and overall group performance. This field study, conducted at a military training course, attempted to further refine this social network-performance relationship by modeling characteristics of both the formal and informal work group networks in relation to performance …
Influence Of Organizational Culture On The Relationship Between Psychological Contracts And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Jennifer M. Carbajal
Influence Of Organizational Culture On The Relationship Between Psychological Contracts And Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Jennifer M. Carbajal
Theses and Dissertations
The issue of what antecedents of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and psychological contracts (PC) employees form with their organization has also been of interest as they have many implications on an employee's extra-role behavior, specifically OCBs. This research investigates the relationship between types of PCs (a) relational and (b) transactional and the propensity to perform (a) altruism and (b) compliance OCB. Furthermore, the influence of organizational culture (OC) dimensions (a) internal orientation and (b) external orientation on this relationship was explored. The results show that transactional PCs were negatively related to both dimensions of OCB. Relational PCs were positively related …
Challenges Facing Military Organizational Cultural Reform: A Study Of The 2004 Air Force Materiel Command Reorganization, Joy D. Mikulcik
Challenges Facing Military Organizational Cultural Reform: A Study Of The 2004 Air Force Materiel Command Reorganization, Joy D. Mikulcik
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to measure the success of the Product Center (PC) portion of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) reorganization initiated in 2004. The purpose of this study is threefold, 1) to determine if the 2004 AFMC Product Center reorganization has met General Martin's four intended objectives, (2) the reorganizations effects on AFMC employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment and (3) to gather some general opinions about the reorganization overall. The literature review consisted of a detailed look at the history of AFMC, areas of organizational culture, and gathering detailed information regarding the 2004 reorganization itself. …
Initiating An Entrepreneurial Mindset In The Department Of Defense (Dod): Testing A Comprehensive Model, Gretchen R. Rhoads
Initiating An Entrepreneurial Mindset In The Department Of Defense (Dod): Testing A Comprehensive Model, Gretchen R. Rhoads
Theses and Dissertations
Transformation will become vital as senior military leaders prepare to fight tomorrow's battles. The pervasiveness of the entrepreneurial mind set within Department of Defense (DoD) organizations and the ability of senior leaders to foster that mind set will be vital. This research effort tested an integrated model of the entrepreneurial mind set and produced a framework that senior leaders can implement to ignite their organizations' innovative potential and ability to transform. The research used a questionnaire to gather data regarding three entrepreneurial mind set antecedents -- individual characteristics, process, and context -- to determine the level of influence each has …
Interaction Between The Process Used To Introduce Change And The Personality Of Organizational Members: An International Test, Terry W. Riddle Jr.
Interaction Between The Process Used To Introduce Change And The Personality Of Organizational Members: An International Test, Terry W. Riddle Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
Organizations introduce change to strengthen organizational performance and improve effectiveness. Drawing from literature in the areas of organizational change and personality characteristics, this study seeks to uncover the influence personality has on an individual's readiness for change. Data were utilized from two previous studies that sampled both an American organization and a Korean organization. The administered questionnaires captured data pertaining to the individuals' perceptions of the change process, their personality attributes, and their readiness for change. Using a statistical method known as moderated multiple regression, the study examined whether personality moderates the impact the change process has on an individual's …
Effects Of Deployment On Homestation Job Stress And Burnout, S. Ryan Johnson
Effects Of Deployment On Homestation Job Stress And Burnout, S. Ryan Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
The Global War on Terrorism has increased the demands placed on military members. The increased rate of deployments, coupled with the reduction in resources, has military leaders concerned that these changing demands will cause undue strain, adversely affecting the military member's quality of life. This research tests the effects of active duty military deployments on homestation job stressors and burnout. Pre- and post- deployment surveys were administered to test for any significant changes that resulted from a deployment. A group of non-deploying members was also measured during the same time frame to serve as the control group. Results showed that …
Overcoming Resistance To Change: An Analysis To The Department Of Defense's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, Irene C. Johnson
Overcoming Resistance To Change: An Analysis To The Department Of Defense's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, Irene C. Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of this research was to investigate the impact of change on organizations, in the absence of a preparedness program and to develop strategies for overcoming resistance to change, in the midst of a proposed initiative that has become stalled as a result of mistrust and cynicism. The results of this research suggests a framework of management techniques that will offer leadership approaches to resurrecting a stalled change initiative and overcoming personnel's resistance to a proposed change project, in order for the project to be more widely accepted. A series of personal interviews and focus groups, a qualitative method …
Decision Analysis Using Value Focused Thinking To Select Renewable Energy Sources, James S. Duke
Decision Analysis Using Value Focused Thinking To Select Renewable Energy Sources, James S. Duke
Theses and Dissertations
The United States is heavily dependent on fossil fuels to produce electricity. Renewable energy can provide an alternative source of energy for electricity production as well as reduce fossil fuel consumption. The executive agencies in the U.S. must also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 based on 1990 emission levels as directed by Executive Order. However, there is currently no analysis model to provide guidance toward which renewable energy to select as a course of action. This research effort used value-focused thinking decision analysis to create a model based on inputs from the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency. This …
An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Active Duty Members, Stephanie M. Skibo
An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Active Duty Members, Stephanie M. Skibo
Theses and Dissertations
There seems to be a widely held belief that different generations have different attitudes toward work, organizations, and co-workers. Clearly, these observed differences have implications for managers and leaders. Actions taken by leaders might be misunderstood by junior organizational members, leading to undesirable outcomes. Considering that many generational groups are represented within the Air Force, there is a need to analyze and understand potential generational differences. With the exception of the Smola and Sutton (2002) study, little empirical research has explored the extent to which these differences actually exist and whether differences exist among Air Force members. This research explores …
An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Civil Servants, Stacey L. Williams
An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Civil Servants, Stacey L. Williams
Theses and Dissertations
There seems to be a wide held belief that different generations have different attitudes toward work, organizations, and co-workers. Clearly, these observed differences have implications for managers and leaders. Actions taken by leaders (who are often older) might be misunderstood by junior organizational members (who are often younger), leading to undesirable outcomes (i.e., turnover). Considering that many generational groups are represented within government service, there is a need to analyze and understand potential generational differences. With the notable exception of the Smola and Sutton (2002) study, little empirical research has explored the extent to which these differences actually exist and …
Analysis Of The Theoretical Relationships Between Work Exhaustion, Job Satisfaction, And Turnover Intention Of Air Force Information Systems Managers, Alfred D. Ray
Theses and Dissertations
The use of information technology has increased exponentially over the last two decades (Cohen and Burton, 2001), Accordingly, the ability of organizations to retain their information systems staff has been a critical factor in the effort to achieve strategic goals (Moore, 2002), When IS professionals leave an organization, not only is the number of them available for assignment to projects depleted, the professionals themselves often take specialized skills, tacit knowledge, and understanding of specific business operations and information systems with them (Agarwal and Ferratt, 2002), Chief Executives have become increasingly interested in issues related to the recruitment, development, and retention …